The Batman is about to join Streamers on HBO Max, and frankly if you are a fan of superhero stories you’ll be happy to, yet again, see another stand alone film featuring the caped crusader.
As always we’ll tackle this breakdown by covering this movie via story, acting, and overall.
Story 8/10
By far one of the darkest live-action telling of Batman to date. This film takes The Dark Knight and its rogue’s gallery to an entirely deeper and darker level. The Riddler has had several iterations over the course of its existence and DC Comics. From a playful trickster all the way up to a psychotic serial killer, the Riddler has run the gambit mentally speaking.
In this iteration of the character, the Riddler has caught Batman in his crosshair as he plans to uncover the corrupt actions of the Gotham government. Now Batman has to race to stop the Riddler and all his criminal antics before the next person dies. While on the hunt to stop him, he finds out more more about himself, his family, as a result of the riddles left behind in the Riddler’s wake.
As far as Batman stories go, this one does not seem to show that Batman is prepared for all things. This is counter to the arguments all the BatStans like to argue about. In this situation he has only been on the job for around 2 years in the world of the film. He is struggling and stumbling through his journey.
While he is following along with the journey, as he’s supposed to, his actions don’t tend to save lives of Gothamites, so much as lead to the next inevitable death within the riddle.
“…this film feels like more of an accurate and fair origin story of Batman…”
I would say that comparing this film to the Nolan trilogy, with Christian Bale, this film feels like more of an accurate and fair origin story of Batman, and could make for a great start of a new trilogy.
I can’t wait for a sequel to this film, which shows an older and more knowledgeable hero who has learned from his mistakes and refuses to be a step behind a criminal.
Acting 7/10
A lot of people were torn by Robert Pattison as Bruce Wayne/Batman. It seems to be an ongoing trend in the world of DC Superhero films. Batman is always questioned, and then once the movie is out, are usually appreciated for their take on the role.
While people will clearly and obviously have their preferred Batman’s, mine is Michael Keaton, you can’t argue the skill and performance performed by almost everyone who’s held the mantle of the caped crusader.
The truth of the matter is a superhero movie is only as good as its villain, and in this case it’s the Riddler. Paul Dano does an amazing job portraying a psychotic representation of the character from the comics.
This version of the Riddler reminds me of my favorite iteration, specifically from the 1995 one-shot comic book of the same name from Matt Wagner. It’s easy to get lost in the ridiculousness of the likelihood of the situation playing out the way that it does. However, the performance of Dano allows you to forget about the unlikelihood of it occurring. This is in part due to how well Dano comes off as unsettling.
Fans will say that the connection between Bruce Wayne and the Riddler is not unheard of before, with Jim Carrey’s performances of the Riddler showcasing an obsession between the villain and hero as well in Batman Forever.
Overall 8/10
This is a dark story with a lot of mystery and crime drama. It’s only barely a superhero movie with the inclusion of Batman. This isn’t the traditional story we get in this genre.
The work of Colin Farrell and John Turturro as crime bosses is well performed and helps lend credence in this film for it being more a crime drama and less an over the top pop culture superhero story.
If you are looking for an over the top action story, there are definitely beats of it, but what it lacks in colorful action scenes it makes up for it with suspense.
Conner’s Final thoughts
I would like to point out that while there is not a lot of Bruce Wayne in this movie, there is a lot of discussion within the film in subtle ways of how he is pushing the facade of Bruce Wayne and leaning deeply into his true face, Batman. Batman being the entity that he created to protect himself after the torture and torment that he suffered as a child loosing his parents right in front of him.
This movie does an amazing job showcasing a psychological trauma, and the effects that can take hold upon a person suffering from them. Although, I don’t think a lot of people are going to become superheroes as a result of suffering trauma.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s now available Here on HBO Max!
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